Four of the six dogs from the Fire and Rescue Department’s K9 unit – Blake, Lady, Grouse and Pop – that have been awarded the ‘Golden Performance’ medal for their role in the Batang Kali landslide SARS operation. – Bernama
But it needn’t be, certainly not for the furry friends who were left in abysmal conditions at a shelter recently.
EVEN in ancient times, they were treated better. Here we are in 2023, as sophisticated as mankind has ever been, yet compassion is neither compulsory nor a courtesy. It’s simply unacceptable. Even convicted murderers and rapists in prison are treated better than the dogs at a shelter.
Photographs and videos have gone viral on social media depicting scrawny dogs in unhygienic conditions at a dog pound, which is supposedly under the supervision of the Kuala Langat Municipal Council (MPKL).
Would it be wrong to think that these dogs were left to starve?
Questions have rightfully been raised on whether these canines were even properly fed and cared for.
They may be stray dogs picked up by the council, but these animals surely shouldn’t be left in such a pathetic and deplorable state.
Last week, the MPKL, which earned the public’s ire following the video, said the dogs at its pound were fed daily.
It said contrary to the images in the video and pictures, all the dogs, which were captured and kept at the pound, were fed twice a day, and given special food as well as placed in a suitable place.
“The dog pound is cleaned on a scheduled basis to prevent flea infection among the canines there.
“MPKL has also improved the management of the pound so that it is more organised in terms of the cleaning schedule and handling of the feeding procedures for the captured dogs.
“In fact, it also cooperates with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to take in and care for the canines,” it said.
Let’s give the MPKL the benefit of doubt but its statement is unlikely to paint a different picture for many dog lovers.
The terrible treatment of the dogs in the pound clearly appalled Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali, who has now ordered local authorities to inspect all animal shelters in the state.
Sulaiman, clearly upset and disappointed with the way the dogs were allegedly left to starve, noted: “It’s not the way to treat God’s creations.” He also sent a personal donation to the Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better (MDDB) NGO to buy food for the dogs.
“This is a small contribution from me, and hopefully my gesture will inspire more people to help these poor dogs.”
God’s creatures too: Questions have been raised on the condition of the canines at the MPKL dog pound. – Photo courtesy of The Star reader Austin
MPKL has now promised to review the management of the dog pound under its supervision following criticism over its unhygienic conditions, saying a review would be carried out by the vector unit of the department of solid waste management and environmental health.
It’s good that the public has exposed such purported poor management of the dog shelter, which has, unfortunately, given the impression that MPKL has mistreated, neglected and mismanaged in its duties, even if that’s not the case.
It has correctly earned the attention and rebuke of the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor.
Expressing sadness and disappointment, she directed authorities, especially the municipal councils, to improve and upgrade management procedures.
We need to remind ourselves that dogs are God’s creations. He surely has a reason for putting them on earth. They aren’t dirty animals that should be culled or mistreated, as some would like to think.
Dog lovers would know the undivided loyalty of their pets. They are known as man’s best friend for good reason.
The recent Batang Kali tragedy displayed their kindness and dedication, as the canines worked to the point that a couple collapsed out of sheer exhaustion in the gruelling and treacherous search operations.
Besides our front-line officials – including one who lost his life and another who had a mild stroke – these dogs were also part of the team of unsung heroes.
It was these highly trained tracker dogs from the Fire and Rescue Department which located the bodies of almost half the victims who died during the catastrophic landslide just last month.
The undeniably cute and lovable purebred dogs garnered much attention from Malaysians for their heroism, but mongrels, abandoned or strays, are just as precious and loving creatures, which ask for nothing but a little kindness from us. After all, they wouldn’t hesitate to come to our aid, given half a chance, as history has shown many times over.
At a media high-tea on Thursday, Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming duly paid tribute to the rescuers and the now-famous tracker dogs, saying dogs should be properly cared for and loved.
Perhaps the hands-on minister should order an audit of all the animal shelters under the local authorities and find out their shortcomings, such as lacking trained personnel and funds, and come up with ways to prevent abuse and cruelty.
There’s obviously a need to encourage spaying or neutering of abandoned animals. Not just dogs, but cats as well.
There should also be an SOP which reflects compassion when council workers conduct stray dog catching exercises.
It’s important for Malaysians to champion the rights of animals and that value must be instilled from a young age.
The way we treat animals reflects our own humanity and who we are as people.
As the late great Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi said – the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
The writer has three dogs and is proud that he has always had dogs in his life, from the time he was a child.
